Mary Margaret Brennan

1957 - 2024

Mary Margaret Brennan, 66, of Slidell, Louisiana, passed away on January 11th, 2024 at Peachtree Creek Memory Care in Atlanta, Georgia. Mary, 'Mary B,' or 'Muffie' as she was affectionately called by friends and family, was born on December 17th, 1957 in New Orleans, Louisiana to Robert and Lucille Brennan. Mary grew up in Slidell, Louisiana as the second oldest of eight siblings, and graduated from Salmen High School in 1975. In 1979, she graduated from Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana. After graduating college, Mary worked as a loyal employee for the St. Tammany Parish School Board for over 30 years until her retirement in 2014. Whether at work or in her personal life, Mary's unique gift was to make sure relatives, friends, and co-workers realize how much she cared about their contentment and well-being. Her focus was never on herself. As a single mom, this selflessness was most evident as she raised her two children, Maria and Matthew. One of the most powerful life lessons she passed along to them was to always walk in the shoes of others, particularly the less-fortunate. They also learned to advocate for themselves whenever necessary. Mary would teach them to be unafraid to ask for whatever they wanted or needed, because the worst thing that could happen is someone might say "no." Of course, not every lesson dealt with character-building. Maria, for example, never forgot her mom's reminders that a strict skincare and makeup routine should become a daily ritual! Mary took great pride in her home and her neighborhood, and was passionate about maintaining the beauty and charm of both. Her biggest pet peeve was unsightly signs and flyers planted along Slidell's public thoroughfares. Whenever she spotted a sign which had been staked illegally, she didn't hesitate to pull over, rip it out of the ground, and throw it away. She wanted her community to look as beautiful as possible, and that desire was particularly evident at home. Mary worked tirelessly to make it warm and cozy. Overnight guests would wake up to the aroma of freshly-baked banana bread and hot Community Coffee. As everyone sat around the kitchen table and enjoyed their second cup, Mary would disappear for a moment and then return to proudly deliver a batch of her famous made-from-scratch oatmeal cookies as a going-away gift. She was also a talented artist, and despite her limited spare time, Mary enjoyed designing knickknacks she would present to relatives on Christmas Day. For anyone fortunate enough to receive one, these homemade "tchotchkes" are now bittersweet reminders of her unfailing generosity and kindness. Funny and animated, Mary was always ready with an (oft-repeated) quip, and her endearing one-liners such as "It's Chilly in Gentilly!" or "You gotta FEEL the love!" will be carried on by those who loved her. Her infectious smile, her incredible laugh, her tight hugs, and her beautiful soul will be greatly missed and treasured forever. Mary was preceded in death by her father, Robert E. Brennan. Mary is survived by her mother, Lucille Fontana Brennan, her children Maria Bolgiano Meek (Jake) and Matthew Bolgiano (Tracy); her 7 siblings, Nina Osterhaus, Danny Brennan, Robert (Bobby) Brennan, Kathy Brennan-Haug, Ann Wingerter, Rosalia Best, and Luke Brennan; and her 4 grandchildren Eve, Emmett, Nora, and Jacob. The family wishes to acknowledge the dedicated staff of Peachtree Creek Memory Care and Compassus Hospice. We also extend a special thank-you to Pat Pichon, Tanya Johnson, Jerrie Hart, and Kathie Cranford for the loving care they provided. A celebration of life will be planned at a future date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer's Association or The Leukemia And Lymphoma Society.